Berg making safe run for mayoral seat
Elko New Market voters will have options in their municipal leadership when they go to the polls this fall.
With Mayor Joe Julius having previously announced he will not seek re-election, councilor Josh Berg has filed to run for mayor and its two-year term. Rick Stidger has also filed to run for mayor. If Berg is not elected mayor, he will serve the remainder of the four year city council seat he won in 2022.

The annual Chamber of Commerce event, Czech Out New Prague, drew several hundred people to Memorial Park Thursday, Aug. 1, to meet staff from businesses, non-profit organizations and members of faith communities.
This year’s event was again a popular attraction. Visitors also interacted with New Prague police and firefighters. The event also shared the park with The Jazz on the Prairie Big Band, part of the Music at the Broz concert series.

One incumbent and one potential newcomer are among the early contestants for the elections for New Prague City Council and the New Prague Area School District.
Incumbent Mayor Duane Jirik is the only person to file for election to the New Prague City Council. It is for a two-year term. The seats currently held by councilors Shawn Ryan and Bruce Wolf are also up for election for four-year terms.
School district

A St.Paul man is charged with killing a retired Catholic priest who was giving him a ride to a mental health evaluation.
The Rev. Larry Johnson was killed Thursday afternoon, Aug. 1, around 12:40 p.m., as he gave Nathan Thomas Wondra, 32, a ride to an evaluation. Wonder has been charged with second-degree murder in the killing of the 76-year-old retired priest while parked just off Interstate 94 along Prior Avenue. Wondra reportedly told police ‘voices’ told him to strangle Fr. Johnson to ‘save humanity.’

Neysa Anderson was crowned the 2024 Kolocky Queen for the Kolacky Days 90th festival this Friday evening, July 26. The remainder of Kolacky Days royalty were also crowned as 1st Princess Olivia Skluzacek, and 2nd Princess and Miss Congeniality Tayla Kline. They have taken their place and will be seen over the next two days of Kolacky Days festivities, including the Grand Parade on Sunday at noon along 1st Street in Montgomery!

A week ago, he said the likelihood his truck would be ready for the Scott County Fair’s demolition derby was 50-50. Sunday, July 21, the odds had improved to 70-30.

NP police, firefighters, deputies, dispatchers team up to save man’s life
His relatives tease John Ruehling there’s an easier way to enjoy a helicopter ride. Joking aside, the Helena Township farmer knows the airborne trip was a small part of a lifesaving effort by New Prague police, firefighters and Scott County Sheriff’s deputies and dispatchers.

Scott Pelava, owner of Lonsdale Auto Works, was chosen as the 2024 grand marshal for Lonsdale Community Days, happening on Saturday, August 10.
Pelava opened Lonsdale Auto Works in 2005, providing service to the Lonsdale area for 19 years so far. He has been an active member of the Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce (LACC), serving two terms on the board of directors for them. Chamber Executive Director Shanna Gutzke-Kopp says that he has been “constructively working with staff, committee members & business leaders.”

The armed man who prompted sheriff’s deputies and police to shut down Interstate Highway 35 near Faribault Sunday, July 21, for nearly five hours allegedly had drugs in his vehicle, paraphernalia and equipment for packaging drugs.
The incident began at 2:52 p.m. and ended shortly after 7 p.m.

Inez Kubes of Mala Strana Rehabilitation Center and Assisted Living celebrated her 105th birthday with family, friends and other residents in New Prague Monday, July 22.

Two Montgomery Township residents were killed in a house fire early Sunday morning.
Roman Jindra, 76, and Betty Jindra, 73, were found in the kitchen area of a house on Jindra Lane in Montgomery Township around 1 a.m. Sunday, July 14. Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office dispatchers received a report of a structure fire at the house at 12:54 a.m. Betty Jindra called 911 and reported the house was on fire and she and Roman were trapped inside the residence, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.

The Elko New Market City Council at its Thursday, June 27, meeting approved the Interstate 35 Industrial Park by a 4-1 vote. Casting the only no vote was Councilor Gina Styles who felt the industrial park was not the right fit for the city.

A group of New Prague youngsters is hoping to help honor veterans while enjoying time outdoors during the summer months. It’s a project they planned and are implementing with the help of their moms, one glass at a time.

Crews will begin work on Highway 282 projects on July 8 that will result in narrow lanes and two separate road closures, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
At 7 a.m. Monday, July 8, crews begin replacing a retaining wall with an earthen slope along Highway 282 in downtown Jordan. Crews working on the project, between Highway 21 and East Street, require a temporary narrowing of Highway 282 lanes. Workers plan to continue the project from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday, until July 30.

The office of the Le Sueur County election administrator announces that absentee ballots are now available to the public for the August 13 primary election. Individuals may vote in person at the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at the Le Sueur County Government Center, 88 S Park Ave, Le Center, MN 56057, or fill out an absentee ballot application on-line, or mail in a request for an absentee ballot to Le Sueur County Elections, 88 South Park Ave, Le Center MN 56057, and a ballot will be mailed to them.

New Prague and other area communities will observe the July 4th holiday in many ways, celebrations including fireworks, parades, music and boat parades.
New Prague The evening of Wednesday, July 3, will be the New Prague Fireworks Show. Events will be held east of the New Prague Middle School, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be Kona Ice, Dawgs on the Run, face painting and free massages. The national anthem will be sung by Linda Fahrenkamp with the fireworks beginning 10:10 p.m.